Toy camera construction



June 7, 1960 T. H. GRIMES ETAL 2,939,244

TOY CAMERA CONSTRUCTION Filed May 5, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 NV TORS 0.9 B 22 61%.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 T. H. GRIMES ET AL TOY CAMERA CONSTRUCTION June 7, 1960 Filed May 5, 1958 I! a 814 llllll III United States atent Ofice 2,939,244 Patented June 7, 1 960 TOY CAMERA CONSTRUCTION Filed May 5, 1958, Ser- No. 732,853

1 Claim. (Cl. 46-475) This invention relates to a toy camera construction which is particularly suitable for children of pre-school or kindergarten age. Actions, both physical and mental, of children in this age range, by way of imitating their parents or other adults, are well known by persons familiar with child development. Child psychologists, medical doctors, and educators have long recognized these activities and expressions of a child as important contributions to the normal development of the child.

Because of the frequency of photographing, by either a professional or amateur photographer, to Whichan infant is normally subjected, the act of taking pictures with a portable camera becomes an activity oftentimes imitated by children in this age group.

Various toy cameras have heretofore been proposed but,'because of design, are beset with numerous shortcomings. For example, such cameras are oftentimes of a complicated and costly construction and thus far beyond the comprehension of the child and thereby detract, to a certain extent, from their appeal or attractiveness for the child. Secondly, such cameras are frequently of a delicate character and not capable of withstanding abusive treatment. Thirdly, such cameras are oftentimes of bulky and/or heavy construction and thus prove awkward for the child to manipulate and do not serve as a beneficial means for improving the dexterity of the child. Fourthly, such cameras are formed of numerous parts readily susceptible of becoming lost, broken, or out of adjustment. Lastly, such cameras oftentimes have numerous sharp corners or pointed projections which render such devices of a highly traumatic character.

Thus, it is one of the objects of this invention to provide a toy camera which is not beset with the aforenoted shortcomings.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a toy camera which not only provides a means for improving the dexterity of the child but, also, provides an elfec tive stimulus for creative and artistic expression by the child.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a toy camera which is possessed of highly educational and entertaining qualities.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a toy camera which is of simple, yet durable, construction, compact, and inexpensive to manufacture.

Further and additional objects will appear from the description, accompanying drawings, and appended claim.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, a toy camera construction is provided comprising a body member having a substantially planar front surface and an elongated relatively narrow slot formed therein and opening at the top surface of such body member. A viewing port is formed in the body member and has the ends thereof opening at the front and back surfaces of such body member. The line of sight through said viewing port is disposed substantially normal to the planar front surface of the body member. Projecting transversely from the front surface of the body member is an elongated protuberance on which is rotatably and slidably mounted a removable front piece. Slidably disposed within the elongated pocket formed in the body member is a removable planar piece which'is provided with an aperture, the latterbeing in registered relation with the viewing port, when the planar piece is in its fully inserted position within the slot.

For a more complete understanding. of this invention,

reference should be made tothe drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved toy camera.

Fig. 2 is similar to Fig. 1,- but showing the various parts of the improved toy camera in exploded relation.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged front elevational view of the improved toy camera.

Fig. 4 is a top plane view of Fig. 3. r

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a right end view of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of Fig. 3.

Referring now to the drawings and, more particularly, to Fig. 1, an improved toy camera 10 is shown which is adapted primarily for use by children of tender age. The camera includes a body member 11 which, in this instance, is of substantially rectangular solid configuration, a front piece 12, a removable planar piece 13, and

a handle member 14. All of the afore-indicated parts of the camera 10 are of simple design and fabricated from wood or some other durable, yet inexpensive, material.

The body member 11 is provided with a substantially planar front surface 11a, from which transversely extends a stud-like member 15, the distal end of which is intended to simulate the aperture of a conventional camera.

Formed in the top surface 11b of member 11 is an elongated, relatively narrow slot or pocket16, which is adapted to slidably accommodate planar piece 13. Formed in body section 11 is a viewing port 17 which has the ends thereof opening on the front'and back surfaces '11a and 110, respectively, 'of body memberll. The line of sight through viewing port 17 is substantially normal to the planar front surface 11a of member 11. The removable planar piece 13 is intended to simulate a film plate and, as shown in Fig. 2, is of substantially rectangular configuration and is formed preferably of slate or some other suitable material on which indicia may be drawn by the child with either chalk, crayon, or pencil.

Secured to the upper edge of piece 13 and in relatively spaced relation with respect to one another, are a pair of lugs 18, which have a dual function, namely, to facilitate removal of the piece from the slot 16 and, secondly, serve as stops for the piece 13 when the latter is in its fully inserted position. An aperture 20 is formed in piece 13 and is adapted to be in registered relation with the viewing port 17 when piece 13 is in its fully inserted position within slot 16. Thus, viewing through port 17 is in no way obstructed by piece 13. A child may have much enjoyment with the camera 10 and, at the same time, readily exercise his or her artistic and creative talents by drawing on one surface of piece 13 a humorous caricature of the person to be photographed, place the piece 13 with the drawing thereon in slot 16 without the persons knowledge, and then withdraw the piece 13 from slot 16 after the child has simulated taking the persons picture.

Afiixed to the side of body member 11, by screws or any other suitable means, is the handle 14, which is of tubular configuration. Handle 14 is intended to simulate the battery holder of a photoflash attachment. Mounted on the front side of handle 14 is a cup-shaped bell member 21, which is intended to simulate the reflector of the photoflash attachment. Disposed centrally within eletnent 21 is a knob 22,-which is intended to;simulatea flash bulb. The knob 22 and bell element '21 are secured by la screw or other suitable'meansito 'handle 14. Disposed beneath bell element 21 is a striker piece 23, which is .s e cUred to handle 14 by' means of a spring24. The

striker 23 is in close proximity to the periphery'of bell element 21 and, when actuated by the I finger of the child, will contact the bell element and produce an audible ring, much to the entertainment "of the child. A socket or opening 25 is formed in thetop of ha ndle 14 and is adapted to receive a piece of chalk; peneil or crayon2'6. i i

, To facilitate carrying of the camera by the child,

strap 27 ,is provided which has the ends thereofv atfixed to oppo'site sides ofbody member7'1'1fT 'Ihe. strap is adapted to fit aroundt he neck b aver the shoulder of the child. 7 .w

Front piece 12.is intended to sir'nnlate'the focusing adjustment normally found on a camera. Piece 12 fisof annular configuration and is provided Witha center opening 28 to accommodate studmember 15. vOn the exposed face of piece 12 is indicia A, corresponding to a degree t o indicianormally found on the focusing adjustment of a conventional camera. T o the back side ofpie ce 12 is afiixed 'a'fibrous piece 30 which serves as an eraser for the in'dicia writteu or drawn on oneor 'more of the surfaces of planar piece 13. When the front piece l2'is 'inlas'sem'bledrelation with stud 15," the fibrous piece 30 engages the planar front s urface 11a of body member 11. ;The peripheralconfiguration of front piece 12 is such as not to interfere with the line of sight through viewing port 17. i

. Thus, itwill beseen that an improved toy camera has be'en p rovided whichis of simple; yet sturdy, constr u ctio'n,1is possessed of great appeal and entertainment for children of this age level, and affords adequate means for not only improving the dexterity 'of thechild, but

artistic and creative effort on serves as a stimulus for the part of the child.

shown above, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not tobe limited thereto, since many modi- While a artic':ular embodimentof this: invention is fications may be made, and it is contemplatei therefore, by the appended claim, to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

We claim: 7 7 Q 7 A toy camera construction comprising a body member having a substanitally planar front surface, said body adjacent said body member front surface, the periph cry of said front piece and fibrous means afiixed thereto being spaced from the line of sight through said viewing port, aremovable planarpiece slidably mounted said pocket, said piece being provided'with an aperture disposed in registered; relation with said viewing port, whensaid pieceis in fully inserted position within said pocket, said piece having planar front and. back Writing surfaces, an elongated tubular-shaped handle affixed to r a side surface of said body rnember, the top surface of said handle b eingprovided witha pocket, a cup-Shaped tiashbulb reflector simulating bellelement aflixed to the surface of said handle corresponding to the front sur face of said: body member, and a transversely extending, manually-actuated shutter release simulating striker piece resiliently mounted on said handle and disposed'in close proximity to the periphery of said bell element, so constructed and arranged that sound produced by the striker piece coming into contact with the bell element simulates an exaggerated shutter actuating noise. s,

' References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 260,076 'Andren Ji1ne27, 1 882 2,320,560 Braddock "June 1, 1943 2,602,265 Jackson July 8, 1952 2,853,832 A rena Sept. 30, s 

